Comparison · small hatchbacks

Ford Fiesta vs Kia Rio: which is more reliable?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 94 for the Ford Fiesta, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,457,525 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Fiesta

94Below average
MOT tests1,360,577

Kia Rio

97Below average
MOT tests96,948

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord FiestaKia Rio
3–5 years
100About average
101About average
6–9 years
94Below average
103Above average
10–14 years
93Below average
92Below average
15+ years
94Below average
90Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FiestaKia Rio
202186.6%92.0%
202086.7%86.3%
201985.8%84.4%
201884.1%84.3%
201776.4%82.5%
201668.7%77.5%
201567.3%76.0%
201464.7%66.6%
201361.9%61.9%
201258.8%58.7%
201158.1%54.6%
201055.4%55.2%
200954.0%54.3%
200853.8%49.3%
200754.2%48.8%
200652.6%49.6%
200552.7%50.8%
200452.9%47.8%
200354.1%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FiestaKia Rio
Lights & electrics22.114.3
Suspension15.310.1
Brakes7.712.6
Tyres9.07.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.26.8
Steering3.94.4
Emissions & leaks5.22.8
Body & chassis3.92.1

Ford Fiesta: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.8%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.5%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
  6. Position lamp: not working1.8%

Kia Rio: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Fiesta or the Kia Rio?

The Kia Rio does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 94 for the Ford Fiesta, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio can be compared?

Both were tested for 19 registration years (2003–2021). The Ford Fiesta had the higher pass rate in 12 of them and the Kia Rio in 7.

What fails most on each?

Ford Fiesta: stop lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Kia Rio: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play.